Congress Is About to Ban the Government From Offering Free Online Tax Filing. Thank TurboTax.

[OfTheCross]

Do we blame capitalism?

Do we blame politicians?

or

Do we blame lobbyists?

This shyt here is ridiculous. Why can't the government make out lives easier, mayne

Just in time for Tax Day, the for-profit tax preparation industry is about to realize one of its long-sought goals. Congressional Democrats and Republicans are moving to permanently bar the IRS from creating a free electronic tax filing system.
...

In one of its provisions, the bill makes it illegal for the IRS to create its own online system of tax filing. Companies like Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, and H&R Block have lobbied for years to block the IRS from creating such a system. If the tax agency created its own program, which would be similar to programs other developed countries have, it would threaten the industry’s profits.

Congress Is About to Ban the Government From Offering Free Online Tax Filing. Thank TurboTax. — ProPublica

 

[Pressure]

The IRS never had any intention of creating a free online service.

And if they did create a service I can almost guarantee you'd pay for it when you file or through your taxes.

The congressional move would codify the status quo. Under an existing memorandum of understanding with the industry group, the IRS pledges not create its own online filing system and, in exchange, the companies offer their free filing services to those below the income threshold.

 

[Secure Da Bag]

The IRS never had any intention of creating a free online service.

And if they did create a service I can almost guarantee you'd pay for it when you file or through your taxes.

Fair enough. But I'd like to know which Democrats voted to make this law.

 

[OfTheCross]

The IRS never had any intention of creating a free online service.

And if they did create a service I can almost guarantee you'd pay for it when you file or through your taxes.

That was simply a compromise so that the lobbyist wouldn't be left out the game. kinda like the insurance exchange in Obamacare.

 

[Pressure]

The reality is most of these services provide free federal filing when you use their paid services and that will likely be the case due to the competitiveness of the market.

I dont recall any year where I had to pay for federal filing - - only state.

Shrug

 

[Mook]

Capitalism and human ego.

 

[Pressure]

Fair enough. But I'd like to know which Democrats voted to make this law.

It's not a secret.

 

[Pressure]

The entire tax process should be easier in general. If we're complaining about being taxed on filing our taxes and the ills of a profit driven industry we should discuss why people feel as though they need to use Turbo Tax to begin with.

 

[FAH1223]

 

[OfTheCross]

Congress Is About to Ban the Government From Offering Free Online Tax Filing. Thank TurboTax.

 

[FAH1223]

Congress Is About to Ban the Government From Offering Free Online Tax Filing. Thank TurboTax.

thanks, didn't see it

 

[FAH1223]

 

[88m3]

regrettable


I have an accountant

 

[NY's #1 Draft Pick]

Hey everyone let’s just stop paying our taxes. Government ain’t working for us and everything going to the Koch brothers anyway

 

[Yapdatfool]

The reality is most of these services provide free federal filing when you use their paid services and that will likely be the case due to the competitiveness of the market.

I dont recall any year where I had to pay for federal filing - - only state.

Shrug

That makes 2 of us... At least in WI they have a relatively easy to use fax form (PDF) for free.

But yea, I don't see anything wrong with the gov't creating their own FREE tax service, as long as it stayed FREE. Given the market right now, i can't see free federal taxes going away anytime soon, unless turbotax buys everybody up